Suspect appears for sick notes scam
A 32-year-old man accused of theft and fraud after he allegedly sold fraudulent sick leave certificates used by mining and hospitality employees to unlawfully evade work, appeared before the Swakopmund Magistrate's Court on Monday.
The accused, Erich Kanyetu, who allegedly stole official stamps from various doctors and used them to issue sick leave certificates, was represented by defense attorney Monty Karuaihe.
Karuaihe testified that Kanyetu is a good candidate for bail as he works for Rössing Uranium and looks after his family.
“This is not one of those cases where bail cannot be denied,” he said. The state, which was represented by Latoya Katjitundu, opposed bail, while stating there is a fear that the accused could interfere with ongoing investigations, which are still at an early stage. Magistrate Conchita Olivier ruled that the accused would have to launch a formal bail application, as the case is a serious one.
Erongo regional crime investigations coordinator, Erastus Iikuyu, said the accused had allegedly supplied the sick leave documents to a Swakopmund resident for a fee of N$300 each.
“He took prescription letterheads from three different private doctors' businesses in Swakopmund, without their consent and started booking off hotel and mining employees,” Iikuyu said.
Some of the unused prescription letterheads were found in the suspect's house in Mondesa. Iikuyu urged all employees who were issued these leave certificates to contact detective inspector Rosa Tjihavero at 081 413 7105 or detective sergeant Samuel Auchab at 081 276 6844. The case has been postponed to 11 April to allow for further police investigations. Kanyetu remains in custody at the Swakopmund police cells.
Adolf Kaure
The accused, Erich Kanyetu, who allegedly stole official stamps from various doctors and used them to issue sick leave certificates, was represented by defense attorney Monty Karuaihe.
Karuaihe testified that Kanyetu is a good candidate for bail as he works for Rössing Uranium and looks after his family.
“This is not one of those cases where bail cannot be denied,” he said. The state, which was represented by Latoya Katjitundu, opposed bail, while stating there is a fear that the accused could interfere with ongoing investigations, which are still at an early stage. Magistrate Conchita Olivier ruled that the accused would have to launch a formal bail application, as the case is a serious one.
Erongo regional crime investigations coordinator, Erastus Iikuyu, said the accused had allegedly supplied the sick leave documents to a Swakopmund resident for a fee of N$300 each.
“He took prescription letterheads from three different private doctors' businesses in Swakopmund, without their consent and started booking off hotel and mining employees,” Iikuyu said.
Some of the unused prescription letterheads were found in the suspect's house in Mondesa. Iikuyu urged all employees who were issued these leave certificates to contact detective inspector Rosa Tjihavero at 081 413 7105 or detective sergeant Samuel Auchab at 081 276 6844. The case has been postponed to 11 April to allow for further police investigations. Kanyetu remains in custody at the Swakopmund police cells.
Adolf Kaure
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article